Letter to Editor: New Years Dreams

In November of 2014, the North Butler School Board made a decision that will change the future of the district. This was done with very little research, advice from a consultant that might have a conflict of interest and in a hostile way to the citizens of the community.

It is recommended (Barker Guidelines) to do studies prior to making drastic decisions for a district, but our school board made this decision in few months. When a citizen of a group presented to the board, they were faced with hostility from the board and the board only only tore him down rather than trying to understand the information they presented. The citizens group proposal did not cut programs. The board decided to cut programs that advance student development. The board was worried more about two words the group used in facebook posts (“embezzlement” and “lies”) then the future of the students. The board has had opportunities in the past to perform the studies needed, but did not follow through. The board has run the district in a negative for over 5 years, maybe even the 10 years of being a district. Although the negative balance has only shown up the last two years, if you look beyond those years they continued to squander away an unspent balance. The word “embezzlement” came from the group when approximately $400,000 is not there. What are your first thoughts when money is not there? The word “lies” came when we got 3 different figures for the same salary. If I told you 2 + 2 = 6 and I know it actually equals 4, you would say I was lying to you.

I could go on and on about the past but, we can not change the past.

What I dream of is this:

1. I wish great success to a family that is starting a preschool that will fill in the gap the district decided to cut. I support you guys and I am very proud of you!
2. Learn from our past. Why do we study history? To do better in the future. The board needs to learn from their past and be willing to invest time into doing studies before making quick non-supported decisions.
3. Prior to tearing down the elementary building in Greene, the district needs to prove to its citizens that its plan will work. With the building closed it will only cost utilities for keeping up the building and a few hours a week in labor to check on the building. This is a small amount of money considering down the road if the plan does not work we would have to build a structure. How long should the building remain? Until the district has shown 5 years positive balances. That would prove to citizens that they are on the right track. A neighboring district has tried to close down a building several times, but find it is not possible due to the restraints they have in capacity.
4. Research your decisions. Spend the time to find out if things are going to work. Example: When looking at capacity there are several factors – capacity vs functional capacity. If you have a class room with capacity of 40 students but you have an advanced math class that only has 10 students you are not running at capacity.
5. The board and administration needs to prove to the citizens they can manage the money. The school district is a center of learning and if we can not manage a budget correctly then what are we teaching our children?
6. If you are an elected official, show up to meetings. We have a board member that misses over 50% of the meetings.
7. Show some respect to your citizens, all citizens, not just the ones that support your ideas but all who have ideas.
8. If the district’s plan does not work out and we have to do new construction, the only construction I would support is a building that combines all communities of north part of Butler county. Start conversation with Clarksville and come up with a future plan.
9. Citizens vote!

I thank a group of citizens I was able to work with in 2014.

I hope everyone is successful in what they wish to do in 2015 and into the future.

Thanks,

Kip Bouillon